Business Brews

The Village of Calumet Downtown Development Authority (DDA), 330 Fifth, LLC and REL, Inc. partnered with Invent@NMU to expand business start-up resources in Calumet through a kiosk, which will be located at Keweenaw Coffee Works. The Calumet kiosk creates the opportunity for inventors and entrepreneurs to learn about the services offered, submit an idea for a product, business or invention and receive a free QuickExplore™ review and response from the Invent@NMU team within three business days.

To celebrate the launch, there will be a Business Brews event on Tuesday, Nov. 13 from noon-2 p.m. at Keweenaw Coffee Works. A presentation by the Invent@NMU team begins at 12:30 p.m. sharing more information about the kiosk and its benefits to the Calumet community and at 1 p.m., followed by business tips from local entrepreneur, Robert E. Loukus, Co-Founder of REL, Inc. while guests sip on a special blend of coffee by Keweenaw Coffee Works. Attendees can drop their business card upon arrival to receive a free coffee drink ticket during the event and sandwiches and light bites are provided.

“We are thrilled to hear product, business and invention ideas from the community of Calumet,” says Ray Johnson, Executive Director of Invent@NMU. “This partnership continues our mission to expand the entrepreneurial support eco-system in the Upper Peninsula by providing the opportunity for community members to submit ideas remotely and make the first step in bringing a napkin idea to market easier and less intimidating.”

The Calumet kiosk is the second remote kiosk to be stationed throughout the Upper Peninsula, with the first located in Gogebic County. If interested in learning more about placing a kiosk in your community, please call 906-227-6261. For more information, visit https://invent.nmu.edu/.

About Invent@NMU

Invent@NMU is the idea incubator™ powered by students, and led by professionals. From products to small businesses, the staff offers a variety of innovative and entrepreneurial support to campus and community members. The innovative five-step process gives individualized attention to every detail. From market analysis and initial concept refinement to prototyping, testing and marketing, Invent@NMU breaks down the daunting entrepreneurial process. All ideas are worth exploring™.